Agent-based contracting in virtual enterprise

Cevenini, Claudia; Contissa, Giuseppe; Laukyte, Migle

doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/978-0-387-73798-0_23

Agent-based contracting in virtual enterprise

Citation

Cevenini C, Contissa G, Laukyte M. Agent-based contracting in virtual enterprises. In: Camarinha-Matos L, Afsarmanesh H, Novais P, Analide C. (eds.). Establishing the foundation of collaborative networks. Boston: Springer; 2007. p. 225-33. DOI: 10.1007/978-0-387-73798-0_23

Abstract

Virtual Enterprises (VEs) use software agents (SAs) to reduce costs, speed up operations, and increase efficiency and competitiveness. Agents can carry out negotiations and make contracts without any human intervention. This makes them useful both in negotiations to set up a VE and in contracting with VE partners. Agents raise legal problems about the relevance and validity of their actions. The law may not always offer a solution to agent-based interactions. This paper investigates whether current laws are suitable to regulating agents and what new rules may need to be introduced.